The Big Lemon

[joeeoj6]

The Optare Solo SR EVs seem to be the most problematic ones as only 3 (BCK, AWF & FZN) are currently in use in among the 8 at Bristol. Enviros are slightly better with 4 still in service (NSK was very sluggish on the 20 and NRY has tracking issues), while NSO is stripped for parts and NRU&NSU not having MOTs renewed.

The iveco (rented) is broken as well now

 

[8257rp7795]

The iveco (rented) is broken as well now

With the "popularity" of these and the maintenance standards at TBL it's not surprising! They should honestly consider hiring more reliable vehicle types (or fix existing ones)
And the ironic thing is that with all these new-ish vehicles breaking down, Optare Solo EV (YK55ENM) approaching 20 years old still runs most weekdays!

 

[that1pepfan]

You should have a look at their Brighton and Hailsham depots. Both of them look more like scrapyards than bus depots. Dozens of broken buses and buses stripped for spares or long term out of use. So having ten buses out of thirty working at their Bristol operation does not surprise me at all. There was a period just over a year ago in Brighton where they had only 4 working buses and 16 broken out of use buses in their Brighton depot. That means 80% were out of use. That is why they always had so many cancellations until they lost their Brighton contract. Their maintenance is appalling. I have never known a bus company to have so many vehicles out of service.

From that 4 bus service, they only had 2 higer steeds and 2 Optares which meant when they ran out they didn't have any spare. 16 suspended, 47 & 52 averaged every 3 hours

 

[lukem]

The Lemon have been operating an ex xelabus e200 G7 XEL (67 plate) today on the X10. Believe it is tracking as YX17 NSK.

 

[Kaliwax]

G7 XEL was listed on here for sale

ADL E200 10.8m (G7 XEL) - The Bus Shop

2018 ADL E200 10.8 m (G7 XEL) – Single‑Deck Service Bus Offering practicality, reliability, and comfort on a budget is this 2018 ADL E200 10.8 m single‑deck service bus, perfect for both urban stage‑carriage work and inter‑urban routes. Available as is or with a plain-white repaint, this...

the-bus-shop.co.uk

 

[stadler]

Just seen two of the Higer Steed buses (BIG 558 and BIG 939) both parked up in Lewes by the Phoenix Causeway roundabout this afternoon. I was wondering what happened to these and the other two (BIG 822 and BIG 949) as it has been a while since i spotted them. They have gone rather elusive since they lost the Brighton routes. I am presuming they are based at Hailsham depot now.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Just seen two of the Higer Steed buses (BIG 558 and BIG 939) both parked up in Lewes by the Phoenix Causeway roundabout this afternoon. I was wondering what happened to these and the other two (BIG 822 and BIG 949) as it has been a while since i spotted them. They have gone rather elusive since they lost the Brighton routes. I am presuming they are based at Hailsham depot now.

BIG 822 and BIG 949 transferred to Bristol some months ago, and are usually out on routes during the week.

 

[nick291]

I see that Big Lemon has purchased/leased(not sure which) G7 XEL from Xelabus in Hampshire. Out on the X91 today.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I see that Big Lemon has purchased/leased(not sure which) G7 XEL from Xelabus in Hampshire. Out on the X91 today.

Been about for a couple of weeks... Mentioned it was on the X10 at the weekend in my trip report

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Been about for a couple of weeks... Mentioned it was on the X10 at the weekend in my trip report

See post #94 et seq above.

 

[nick291]

See post #94 et seq above.

Missed that, my apologies.

 

[t rex]

Another sprinter also noted with big lemon in bristol is bx61vlm on k1 in Keynsham on January 27th

 

[Citistar]

I think the other 61 plate Sprinter which has to date never tracked is now identifying as an electric Solo.